Fiscal Note
The City issues Street Occupancy and Street Opening permits (SOP) to assist in construction/ renovation of projects adjacent to the public right-of-way (ROW). SOPs serve a dual purpose of protecting the City’s infrastructure and ensuring the public’s continued safe use of the ROW with limited impediment. Building contractors and homeowners are required to secure an SOP if, during construction, they need use of the ROW (street, terrace or sidewalk) to store materials, place a dumpster, erect a crane or other construction related activity.
The City of Madison Street Occupancy Permit (SOP) program is currently administered by a two employees, a Traffic Control Specialist and a Civil Technician 2. Additionally, Traffic Engineering is taking over enforcement of traffic control compliance for Engineering right-of-way permits, including the City-wide fiber build-out currently underway. Engineering inspectors previously performed these tasks, however, it was not the primary focus of their work. An operating budget amendment to the 2019 Executive Operating Budget will be debated at the Finance Committee meeting on Monday, October 22, 2018, to add a third position in Traffic Engineering to assist in the administration of the SOP program.
Annual revenue from the SOP program is anticipated to be $320,000 in 2018. The proposed ordinance raises SOP fees by approximately 30% for all street occupations, other than the fee for dumpsters, construction trailers, and storage containers. The increased revenue is anticipated to be sufficient to cover all the costs associated with the position. The ongoing cost of creating this position is approximately $77,500.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Amending Sec. 10.055(8)(c) of the Madison General Ordinances to update the Street Occupation Permit Fees.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance would update the Street Occupancy Permit Fees by raising the fees by roughly 30% for all street occupations, other than the fee for dumpsters, construction trailers and storage containers. This fee increase is being done to specifically fund a new position in the Traffic Engineering Division that will be administering the street occupancy permit program. Because the City can only recover its actual costs to administer this program, this ordinance should not be approved unless the new position is created.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
Please see "Substitute Body" in Attachments.